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Rangers rescue 71 wild birds in captivity By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Through a joint patrol within the Río Navarro- Río Sombrero Protected Area, the park rangers of the Río Macho Forest Reserve, the Tapantí National Park and the Los Quetzales National Park*, confiscated 71 wild birds, four of which had just been captured. The species rescued were Myadestes melanops (known as jilguero), Cyanerpes cyaneus (known as picudo), Spinus xanthogastrus (known as mozotillo), Tiaris olivacea (known as gallito) and Oryzoborus funereus (known as black zetillero). "These species become victims of the hunters, who catch them to sell them as pets, because of their beautiful song," the park rangers said in their statement. "This irresponsible and unscrupulous practice, unfortunately, continues to affect this delicate group of birds, not only because of the loss of their habitat but also because of the effects of climate change." The rescued birds were transferred to the animal rescue center Zoo Ave in Alajuela and will be handled by qualified personnel who usually released them after making sure they are in good condition. Specialists of the National System of Conservation Areas has called on the population to reject the purchase and possession of wild birds. According to the organization, the capture of wild birds generates a fine of between 4 and 17 million colones and prison sentences of up to three years for people who capture, sell, traffic or have wild animals. This is the second rescue of wild animals during this week, on Wednesday as A.M. Costa Rica reported, officers of the National Coast Guard Service rescued 12 green sea turtle that had been captured. That was in Cieneguita*, Limón. According to the police report, in the Caribbean area, it is considered normal to consume turtle meat, especially in bars. At the site of where the turtles were hidden was a Costa Rican man, surnamed Winn, who was sent to the cells of the Public Ministry, with an accusation for suspicion of illegal hunting of sea turtles. "Several of the large green turtles rescued last night had been harpooned and bled in various parts of their carapace," said the park rangers in their report. Despite the injuries caused by harpoons, no turtles had fatal injuries and, after a period of treatment and recovery, they will be returned to their habitat in the waters of the Caribbean coast, police said. The rescued turtles were taken to the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo south of Limón. After a period of recovery and attention by specialists, they will be returned to the sea. According to the coast guard, statement, the green turtle is called green because their fat under the shell is that color. This species is one of the largest, measuring 71 cm to 1.5 m in length and maintaining a weight of 68 to 190 kg. "The largest green turtle that has ever registered reached the amazing weight of 395 kilos," the coast guard said in its report. "The males are bigger than the females, their heads are small compared to their bodies and their fins in the shape of rowing are perfectly adapted for swimming." According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species green turtle threats include continued hunting, poaching, and egg harvesting. More dangerous are unintentional threats, including boat strikes, fishermen's nets that lack turtle excluder devices, pollution, and habitat destruction, the organization said. ---------------- Have you heard of wild birds like parrots, captured in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com |
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